Are There Still Brave Souls in This World

【Your journey is long and desolate】

【But you’ve long grown accustomed to it】

【After twenty days of wandering and resting, you arrive at a small city—one with walls, unlike the villages, and scattered wizards among its populace】

【Like you, they are mere apprentices, the weakest of their kind, not yet Formal Wizards】

【Yet in this city, even wizard apprentices command reverence, adored by the common folk. After a moment’s thought, you decide to linger here awhile】

【This year, you are 18】

【The existence of Life-Death Intertwined and Soul Reaper hastens your soul’s metamorphosis. You immerse yourself in cultivation, declining invitations to lavish banquets】

【Only when gatherings of wizard apprentices convene do you emerge from seclusion, exchanging knowledge and insights】

【You learn the complete hierarchy of realms】

【In the world of wizards, realms are measured in Circles】

【A zero-circle wizard apprentice merely possesses a soul slightly stronger than an ordinary person’s】

【A Formal Wizard, or First-Circle Wizard, bears unmistakable supernatural traits, delving deep into soul research, capable of etching spell structures into their own soul】

【This stage signifies a wizard’s transcendence over life and death】

【Blurring the line between the living and the dead】

【First-Circle, Second-Circle, Third-Circle, Fourth-Circle… up to the Seventh-Circle Wizards—legendary beings revered as the pinnacle of existence—step into true immortality, their souls unbound by the Underworld】

【They may even enter the Underworld itself, becoming eternal rulers of a soul-laden plane】

……

【Simulation Year Two, you are 19】

【Your cultivation progresses swiftly. Unbeknownst to others, your soul reaches the limits of apprenticeship】

【Silently, you thank the countless skeleton soldiers for their contributions】

【You begin selecting the foundational spell to etch into your soul—your cornerstone, the first step toward greater heights】

【You ponder this for a long, long time】

【Simulation Year Three, you are 20】

【Your apprentice soul reaches its peak. You cease suppressing it, carving your foundational spell amidst surging soul tides】

【First-Circle Spell · Life’s Decay】

【Among all the spells you could find, this one best aligns with the Life-Death Intertwined trait, straddling the domains of life and death】

【Breakthrough, ascension, stabilization—your realm advances to First-Circle Wizard】

【You sense your soul sharpening, your understanding of the deathly aura shrouding the world deepening】

【It’s a fresh perspective, untouched even by the shared authority of the Witch】

【You keep a low profile, announcing nothing of your advancement. Only in the dead of night do you depart the city that sheltered you for two years】

【Once more, you embark on a journey】

【Bound for lands teeming with undead, or true gatherings of wizards】

【The former strengthens your soul; the latter offers the knowledge you seek. To you, both hold equal weight】

【Fortune favors you】

【As a Formal Wizard, you now wield more methods and spells, sparing you the indignity of traveling on foot】

……

The simulation proceeded smoothly, yet not without twists.

In previous runs,

Xu Xi had often remained in one place for long stretches.

But this necromantic path kept him almost constantly on the move, for the ruined world was too barren, vast stretches of it lifeless and silent.

Wraiths, skeletons, mutated corpses—

These formed the world’s norm.

Though he harvested many soul flames, drastically shortening his cultivation time, the oppressive gloom of desolation left him ill at ease.

“In this simulation, strength progression is secondary.”

“Reaching the minimum threshold to study souls is enough.”

“The real-world me…”

“With this cross-applicable knowledge, can grow far stronger. Whether I become a high-realm wizard is merely a bonus.”

“Once I find a suitable place to settle, I’ll build a wizard tower and stay put.”

Seated atop a featherless bone bird,

Xu Xi closed his eyes, contemplating his next steps.

Souls.

Death.

These were the themes of his fifth simulation, the focus of his research.

With the Life-Death Intertwined trait, he was certain he’d uncover something of value eventually.

“Lately, my soul flames are depleting too quickly. Time to replenish them.”

Xu Xi paused mid-flight.

Guiding the bone bird downward,

He aimed for the nearest village—to restock supplies and slay undead for their soul flames.

Whoosh—

Luck was with him. Soon, he spotted his target:

A small village under siege by undead.

A modest horde, no more than twenty strong. Xu Xi landed early, approaching to cast his spells—

When a rusted gauntlet shoved him back.

“Outsider, stand down.”

“Leave this to the Hero.”

Xu Xi: ?

This world has a Hero? Seriously?

The heavy metal armor was caked in brown mud, its surface scarred by rust and wear.

Full coverage, sealed tight.

No glimpse of the figure within, only a hollow voice issuing from the helm, commanding Xu Xi to halt.

The unnamed Hero advanced alone, clad in iron, a greatsword in hand, charging forth to rescue villagers from the undead’s onslaught.

Iron boots crumbled decayed bones underfoot.

The heavy blade flashed, extinguishing soul flames with each swing.

“Look! The Hero’s holy sword!”

A rescued villager cheered, pointing excitedly at the armored figure. Xu Xi saw it too—the faint glow of souls along the blade.

A shimmering light, radiant in the gloom.

Beneath the shrouded sun, that sword shone like a seed of hope, igniting the eyes of the despairing.

“Behold! The Hero’s holy light!”

Another villager cried out.

The armored figure strode forward, fist clenched, wreathed in a milky-white haze—then smashed a skeleton’s skull to splinters.

“Hero!”

“Hero!”

The village’s crisis ended in cheers. A child rushed forth, offering a woven grass crown to the armored savior.

This…

Xu Xi watched, brow furrowed.

Holy sword? Holy light? Something felt off.

“That ‘holy light’ earlier… if I’m not mistaken, was just an illusion.”

“The sword, the light—neither held real power.”

“I see…”

“It’s pure brute force, isn’t it?”

His gaze dropped to the gauntleted hands.

But—

With strength like that, why bother fabricating a “Hero” persona?

There was no need.